Workmates Support Family of Lost Colleague

A FUNDRAISER to help the family of Alcoa worker Ben White, who was killed in a workplace accident late last year, has raised more than $2000 for his wife and young children.

About 100 people turned out at Alcoa Social Club on December 18 to pay tribute to the scaffolding contractor who fell to his death on November 25 while working at Alcoa’s Kwinana refinery.

The night included music and a donation.

The circumstances surrounding Mr White’s death are still being investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, but Australian Manufacturers Workers Union WA state secretary Steve McCartney said members had informed them of concerns about safety protocols at Alcoa Kwinana.

“Members raised concerns around changed safety procedures after a separate serious incident two weeks before the tragic fatality,” he said.

An Alcoa spokeswoman said Alcoa continuously reviewed safety procedures with employees and contractors at all of its WA locations.

She was not aware of any concerns raised by employees about the changes to procedures.